Couple barred from owning cats

Published 1:00 am, Tuesday, July 4, 2006

NEW MILFORD - A couple accused of abusing their pet cats have been banned from owning any animals for two years and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Kenneth Ehrhart
, 60, and his wife, Margaret, 63, were each charged with six counts of animal cruelty after a state animal control officer went to their Larson Road home last July and found one dead cat and five others infested with fleas.

On Monday, the couple's attorney,
Harry Cohen
of New Milford, expressed satisfaction about the court's action.

"I think it's a very good result," said Cohen. "They believe they are innocent. This program gives them the chance for rehabilitation and will protect everyone."

Cohen said the Ehrharts were eligible for the accelerated rehabilitation program because of their clean record. The court's decision did not represent an admission of guilt, Cohen said.

Cohen said that if the Ehrharts adhere to the program, the charges will eventually be dropped.

Calls to the Ehrharts on Monday were not returned.

The Ehrharts officially surrendered ownership of the five cats removed from Larson Road after the charges were made public. The felines, considered valuable show cats, are now being sheltered by the
New Milford Animal Welfare Society
and are available for adoption.

"I'm sure we'll be able to place them," said society manager
Renee Gardner
. "We've had some interest in them. They're wonderful cats and are starting to be social."

Gardner welcomed the judge's decision.

"I think it's a good thing the court is taking this seriously," Gardner said. "In the past all people got was a slap on the wrist, so that's a big step forward."

Still, Gardner said she hoped state officials would be diligent about inspecting the couple's home and said she was still worried about reports that two other cats at the house had not been removed.

The cats, found in an air-conditioned bedroom upstairs, were reportedly found in good health and without fleas.